luxurious homes that left an indelible impression: from private estates to corporate guest mansions
My Private Paradise
My most luxurious home is undoubtedly the one I call my own. I have not yet seen one that surpasses it in style. My main plans are to update a few elements to create a more modern aesthetic. I have ideas in mind, such as replacing the poppy flower art over my bed and the Elvis art in the hallways with large mirrors that have white LED lights surrounding them. The bathroom sink will be changed to an oak one, and the mirror will be replaced with an LED mirror, making it perfection. Another dream addition would be an aquarium with a coral reef, next to my computer desk. While I have the option to rescue a coral reef that is fragile and requires constant maintenance, it's currently impractical due to my frequent travels between Norway and Turkey. A housekeeper could address the maintenance, but the idea of having a coral reef so close would be incredible.
Corporate Guest Mansion in Brazil
During the 1980s, I had the chance to stay as a guest for three months at the residence of the president of Marlboro in S?o Paulo, Brazil, which was more like a three-story apartment building. Alongside a personal assistant who bathed me in the morning, laid out my clothes, and even had a driver and two bodyguards to ensure my safety, 24/7.
A Daring Race Car Driver's Estate
One memorable property was Daryl “D.W.” Waltrip's lake house. Daryl was a notable race car driver in the golden years of NASCAR. He is famous for his unique catchphrase, "Boogity Boogity Boogity," which often reminds me of Quagmire from Family Guy. However, the lake house was indeed an impressive sight, filled with natural beauty and luxury, typical of a race car legend's retreat.
A Harvard Finals Club Party
Another sparkling setting was a party held at a club alumnus’s mansion on Sippican Neck in 1958. This was the final party for the A.D. club's finals club event at Harvard, which is the second fanciest club behind Porcellian. The surroundings were immense and glorious, with lawns as vast as football fields. The dining room could serve up to 40 guests, and there were paintings by recognized artists on the walls. The estate featured a dining scene straight out of a tale of old-world wealth, with 1958 vintages of Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lafitte-Rothschild. Butlers, a football game, and an unforgettable experience complete with just unbelievable old-world luxury.
A Grand Estate in Virginia
Another magnificent estate was the home of the heir to a large Wall Street fortune in the horse country of Virginia, about 30 miles outside of D.C. The property was vast, with a par 3 golf hole descending from his swimming pool to a gazebo and tennis court. The lower floor of the house on the hill featured individual apartments with separate entrances, complete with live-in maids, cooks, and gardens. The estate even had an impressive 8-car garage for classic cars. A grand oak and teak-paneled bar, adjacent to the grand hallway outside a larger living room, where gentlemen gathered after dinner, further enhanced the ambiance. The heir had a rotating collection of paintings and a basement chamber to house these art pieces. When he was heading to France for procuring prunière, a specialty alcohol distilled from prunes, he joked about his Jewish friends I might have met while attending a bris.
This wide range of luxurious properties reflects the diverse tastes and experiences of living in opulent settings, from a personal haven to a corporate retreat.